A sea lion that was shot in Ucluelet died yesterday at the Vancouver Aquarium91裸聊视频檚 Marine Mammal Rescue Centre.
The adult male Steller, named 91裸聊视频楿kee91裸聊视频� by the centre91裸聊视频檚 staff, was discovered in Ucluelet on Oct. 10 and transported to the centre on Oct. 11. After roughly two weeks of treatment, the veterinary team made the difficult decision to euthanize the animal, according to a post on the centre91裸聊视频檚 Facebook page Friday afternoon.
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91裸聊视频淗e wasn91裸聊视频檛 responding to treatment, and his condition had taken a significant downturn in the last two days,91裸聊视频� said the aquarium91裸聊视频檚 head veterinarian Dr. Martin Haulena. 91裸聊视频淎t this point we had to evaluate his quality of life. Although we are disappointed we couldn91裸聊视频檛 return him to full health, we are glad we could end his suffering and make his final days more comfortable. I am so proud of the team for the incredible care they gave him.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频楿kee91裸聊视频� was severely underweight at around 350 kilograms91裸聊视频攈ealthy male Steller sea lions can reach around 800 kilograms91裸聊视频攚hen he arrived at the centre. Veterinarians found at least one bullet lodged in the animal91裸聊视频檚 skull and determined he had been blinded.
It is illegal to shoot a sea lion without a permit in Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada is investigating.
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West Coast marine mammal researcher Wendy Szaniszlo told the Westerly News she was frustrated by Ukee91裸聊视频檚 death and said many people believe sea lions compete with fishers.
91裸聊视频淪ea lions are unpopular because it is perceived that they eat a lot of fish, specifically commercially targeted fish such as salmon,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淏ecause of that, they are seen as competition and likely some folks are maybe wanting to take it in their hands to try to limit any kind of fishery-sea lion interactions91裸聊视频 find it very disheartening and frustrating too.91裸聊视频�
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She added that 91裸聊视频渢here is very little information91裸聊视频� around what sea lions specifically prey on and said her own research suggests salmon is only one small part of a sea lion91裸聊视频檚 diet.
91裸聊视频淪almon is a portion of their diet, but it91裸聊视频檚 not the biggest part of their diet and certainly not chinook salmon,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淭hey are feeding on a wide variety of different types of fish as well as octopus and squid, it91裸聊视频檚 not specifically chinook salmon.91裸聊视频�
She added that she was happy to see so many community members come to Ukee91裸聊视频檚 aide and report the distressed sea lion to the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre at 604-258-7325 and DFO at 1-800-465-4336.
91裸聊视频淭he Vancouver Aquarium was able to rescue the animal and do what they could to help it and try to save it. It91裸聊视频檚 just unfortunate it had the outcome that it did,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淭o me, it warms my heart that, while there are some people out there that truly dislike sea lions and are willing to cause them harm, there are many people out there that do like them and will do what they can to help rescue and rehabilitate them as well.91裸聊视频�
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andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
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